Brush cleaning system and method for using the same

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to a pet brush cleaning system and method for using the same. The system provides at least a first bristle-contact surface for aiding the removal of strands, fibers, or filaments from entraining bristle members on a pet brush. An alternative construction involves a readily transportable brush cleaning kit incorporating a region for storing a pet brush and a removed-pet-hair retaining region that readily facilitates the use of multiple pet-brush cleanings proximate the bristle-contact surface and prevents the detrimental build-up of removed hair during repeated use.

CROSS REFERENCE AND RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority from U.S. Provisional PatentApplication No. 60/823,106 filed Aug. 22, 2006 (pending), the entirecontents of which are fully incorporated herein by reference.

This application relates to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No.60/733,833, filed Nov. 7, 2005 (now abandoned), the contents of whichare incorporated herein fully by reference. This application alsorelates to earlier U.S. Pat. No. 6,427,633, to Patsy Ogden, presentapplicant, entitled “Pet Brush with Hair Removal Feature”, the contentsof which are fully incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a system and method for cleaning abrush. In particular, the present invention relates to a pet brushcleaning system and method for employing the same. More specifically, itrelates to a method and system that provide improved and efficientremoval of hair from a pet brush. Further, in a preferred embodiment, abrush cleaning kit is provided for storing and transporting the same.

2. Description of the Related Art

The related art involves a plurality of pet brushes conventionallyincorporating a single handle and a bristle head. The bristle heads arefrequently of a generally rectangular shape and incorporate a pluralityof metal bristles projecting therefrom on a common side.

While many of the brush-bristles represented in the conventional artsare shown as straight place-holding bristle members this illustration isused merely to illustrate as a more complex feature. In fact, a commonimplementation process that is visible throughout the world ofconventional pet-brush bristles involves the use of bent-metal brushbristles. Common conventional bristles are constructed of metal or stiffpolymeric materials and importantly frequently incorporate a bend pointor joint at approximately one-third of its exposed bristle-length. Thisbend angle is commonly 5-25 degrees off the linear bristle-axle and actsto more easily allow a user to apply a variable angle of brush-attackrelative to the coat and skin of a pet throughout a brushing motion,thereby improving hair removal from the pet and minimizing pet-skindiscomfort. As a consequence, those of skill in the art will recognizethat conventional pet brush bristles may be shown at any angle from 180degrees (linear) to roughly 145 degrees (45 degrees off linear).

One example of a conventionally known pet brush construction is found inApplicant's earlier U.S. Pat. No. 6,427,633, to Ogden, entitled “PetBrush with Hair Removal Feature”. Here, the pet removal feature involvesa mechanical stripper-plate movable along the length of the bristles. Asnoted from the '633 Ogden disclosure, a wide variety of previously knownbrush cleaning systems exist that are principally based on a hand-heldpet brush. These types of brush-based cleaning systems involve some formof bristle shield or movable bristle guard that slides along the lengthof one or more bristles during a stripping-use.

As also noted in U.S. Pat. No. 6,427,633, an additional feature on manyrelated pet brushes is some form of broadly describable bristle-lengthadjustment feature, wherein the feature effectively adjusts the lengthof usable bristle for the brush. Such conventional bristle-lengthadjustment features allow a user to employ a single or common pet brushwith a variety of pet-hair lengths without having to purchase severalindividually sized pet brushes. Unfortunately, to date none of theseearlier proposed bristle-length features have been operably successfulor commercially successful and the industry awaits a solution.

However, what is not appreciated by any of the previously hair removalfeatures or constructions known in the conventional art is the need fora hair-removal system or kit that is readily adaptable to all forms ofpet brush forms and which functions differently then the slidingstripper-plate embodiments in the related art.

What is also not appreciated by the conventional arts is the need for abrush cleaning system that is not incorporated into a known pet brush,thereby allowing a user combine the presently-proposed system withcurrently-owned pet products of varying manufacturers and varyingdesigns for maximum user convenience.

Accordingly, there is a need for an improved brush cleaning system andmethod for operating the same in an effort to overcome at least one ofthe detriments noted above.

OBJECTS AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A proposed goal of the present invention is to provide a brush cleaningmethod and system for operating the same that overcomes at least one ofthe detriments noted above.

Another desire of the present invention is to provide a brush cleaningsystem that is readily adapted for use with conventional pet brushes andremoves pet hear swiftly and completely in a single removal-stroke.

Another desire of the present invention is to provide a brush cleaningkit that is inexpensive to construct, readily transportable, and easilystorable in a reasonably convenient or small size while allowing for thetemporary storage of pet hair removed from a pet brush, thereby allowingmultiple brush-cleanings in a pet-grooming cycle without having to takemultiple trips to a pet-hair waste receptacle.

Another desire of the present invention is to provide a brush cleaningsystem and kit that may be inexpensively constructed and incorporatevariable brush-angle design features enabling use with a variety ofpet-brush bristles.

The present relates to a pet brush cleaning system and method for usingthe same. The system provides at least a first bristle-contact surfacefor aiding the removal of strands, fibers, or filaments from entrainingbristle members on a pet brush. An alternative construction involves areadily transportable brush cleaning kit incorporating a region forstoring a pet brush and a removed-pet-hair retaining region that readilyfacilitates the use of multiple pet-brush cleanings proximate thebristle-contact surface and prevents the detrimental build-up of removedhair during repeated use.

According to an object of the present invention there is provided asystem, for aiding the separation of hair or fur fibers from a pluralityof entraining members (brush bristles), the system comprising: contactsurface means for engaging at least end segments of the entrainingmembers proximate the fibers, means for deflecting the entrainingmembers relative to the contact surface means, thereby contacting atleast portions of the fibers onto the contact surface during a use,means for moving the end segments along at least a portion of thecontact surface means during the use, and the contact surface meansbeing elastomericlly resilient, whereby during the use the fibersfrictionally engage the resilient and elastomeric contact surface meansduring the deflection and slide along the entraining members and off theend portions, thereby separating the fibers from the entraining members.

According to another object of the present invention, there is provideda system, wherein: the contact surface means for engaging includes atleast one of a smooth elastomeric surface and an elastomeric protuberantsurface.

According to another object of the present invention, there is provideda system, wherein: the contact surface means for engaging includes theprotuberant surface and a corresponding plurality of protuberances, andthe plurality of protuberances being at least ones of regular andirregular protuberances.

According to another object of the present invention, there is provideda system, wherein: the plurality of protuberances decrease a contactingangle between respective the end segments and the contact surface duringa contact incidence, thereby improving the frictional contact engagementbetween the respective fibers and the contact surface means.

According to another object of the present invention, there is provideda system, wherein: the contact surface means is at least one of asubstantially planar surface and a surface including at least one curve.

According to another object of the present invention, there is provideda system, wherein: the contact surface includes at least one curve,wherein during the use the curve decrease an contact angle definedbetween the end segments and the contact surface, thereby improving thefrictional engagement between the respective fibers and the contactsurface means.

According to another object of the present invention, there is provideda system, further comprising: means for positionally securing thecontact surface relative to an external support surface, whereby thesystem enables a user to secure the contact surface in a convenientlocation prior to the use.

According to another object of the present invention, there is provideda system, wherein: the means for positionally securing furthercomprises: at least one of a suction cup means, a leg-basedstabilization means, and means for securing the system proximate a rimof a receptacle for receiving the fibers removed from the entrainingmembers following the use.

According to another object of the present invention, there is provideda system, wherein: the contact surface means for engaging is positionedon a support member, a handle projecting away from the support member,whereby the handle enables an external user to readily position thecontact surface means for an advantageous use.

According to another object of the present invention, there is provideda system, further comprising: a hairbrush element.

According to another object of the present invention, there is provideda system, further comprising: a body, a plurality of entrailing/rainingmembers supported by the body and a second handle supported by the body,a cleaning element means including a plurality of openings positionedrelative to the entrailing/brustles and a tongue supported by the plateand disposed within the handle of the body, and a control elementengaged with the tongue of the cleaning element and mounted with slidingmovement along the handle.

According to another object of the present invention, there is provideda system, further including: releasable affixing means for securelyfixing the hair brush element proximate the handle.

The above and other objects, features and advantages of the presentinvention will become apparent from the following description read inconduction with the accompanying drawings, in which like referencenumerals designate the same elements.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of the present brushcleaning system.

FIG. 2 is a top plan view of FIG. 1.

FIG. 2A is a partial cross-sectional view of FIG. 2 along section line2A-2A.

FIG. 3 is a front plan view of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a first perspective view of an alternative construction of thepresently proposed brush cleaning system with a hair disposal memberdetachably affixed thereto.

FIG. 5 is a second proposed view of the alternative embodiment noted inFIG. 4.

FIG. 5A is a simplified side-view of the alternative constructions inFIGS. 4 and 5 noting a direction of brushing.

FIG. 6 is a top perspective view of an alternative brush cleaning kithaving multiple portions with a hair brush and a sealing retaining coverdoor.

FIGS. 6A, 6B, and 6C are side views of a brush motion along arrow A inFIG. 5A showing the bristle engagement with the elastomeric surface.

FIG. 7 is a cut-away side view of the kit shown in FIG. 5 incorporatinga height adjustment mechanism.

FIG. 7A is a bottom view of FIG. 7 noting alternative engagement pointsfor a height adjustment mechanism.

FIG. 7B is a partial exploded view of a second alternative heightadjustment mechanism showing leg engagement portions.

FIG. 7C is a view of a third alternative height adjustment mechanism.

FIG. 8 is another alternative construction of the present inventionwherein a contact surface is positioned on a hand held member.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Reference will now be made in detail to several alternativeconstructions of the invention that are illustrated in the accompanyingdrawings. Wherever possible, same or similar reference numerals are usedin the drawings and the description to refer to the same or like partsor steps. The drawings are in simplified form and are not to precisescale or shape. For purposes of convenience and clarity only,directional terms, such as top, bottom, up, down, over, above, and belowmay be used with respect to the drawings. These and similar directionalterms should not be construed to limit the scope of the invention in anymanner. Furthermore, the words “connect,” “couple,” and similar termswith their inflectional morphemes do not necessarily denote direct andimmediate connections, but also include connections through mediateelements or devices.

Referring now to FIG. 1, a brush cleaning system 100 includes at least afirst brush contact surface 102 and a preferred contact surface supportmember 101 spacing the contact surface 102 from an external supportsurface such as a table top or bench top.

As shown in FIG. 1, contact surface 102 includes a relatively highercontact surface portion 102B and a relatively lower contact surfaceportion 102 spaced apart by a sloped or undulating region 103. Those ofskill in the art of designing consumer products shall recognize thatwhile the particular embodiment shown in brush cleaning system 100includes an undulating brush contact surface 102, nothing herein shallprohibit brush contact surface 102 from following any geometric form,including; a generally planar form, a generally concave or convex form,and a generally undulating or waved form, the shown “saw-toothed” formin FIGS. 6A-6C, and any non-uniform and uniform variant thereof, withoutdeparting from the spirit and scope of the present invention.

Support member 101 includes, in this preferred embodiment, a continuousboarder member 105 that incorporates a sloped region 104 proximate anedge of contact surface 102 to prevent unintended catching of brushbristles or entraining members, as will be discussed.

Referring now to FIGS. 2, 2A, and 3, it will be recognized that thepreferred contact surface 102 has a thickness and contains a pluralityof ridge members 102A′ arrayed cross a width direction. As shown, ridgemembers 102A′ are a series of angles having a top point andinter-connecting valleys. The present system positions respective ridgemember top points just below a top level of boarder member 105 toprovide a pleasing appearance.

A plurality of support legs 106 space support member 101 from theexternal support surface and may incorporate a series of additionalgripping members (not shown) such as pointed pin members to positivelyengage a support surface or suction-cups enabling engagement with asmooth support surface.

Referring now to FIGS. 4 and 5, an adaptive brush cleaning system 110incorporates optionally a curved or undulating contact surface 100A anda flat contact surface 100AB. Attendant to contact surfaces 100A, 100AB,at one end thereof is a waste receiving member 100B shown as asupporting outer frame 111 for supporting an external bag or pouchmember 112 for receiving waste hair and materials removed from anexternal pent brush.

As see most clearly in FIGS. 4 and 5A, waste receiving member 100B withpouch or bag 112 is fixed to an end of a brush cleaning member 110 andcontact surface 100A. During a use of brush cleaning system 110, a usermoves a pet brush along direction arrow A toward external bag 112 and inthis process contacts bristles of the external brush with ridges 102A′thereby removing hair and depositing the same in bag 112. A snap fitfemale member 113 projecting from an end of each respective contactsurface 100A, 100AB receives a male member 114 in a snap-fit engagementallowing sturdy support of outer frame 111 during a use.

Referring now to FIGS. 6, 6A, 6B, and 6C, a brush cleaning kit 150includes a contact surface 154, shown sloped relative to a contactsurface support or container 152 although alternative positions areenvisioned including parallel to the support or container surface 152. Abrush 153 is provided with a handle and a plurality of bent-metalbristles or filaments, and may be of constructions known to thepet-brush industry. An optional lid or cover 151 is removably-engageableor pivotable with container 152 to secure brush 153 within a spent-hairreceiving region 156 when kit 150 is not in use.

As seen in series, from FIGS. 6A-6C, as brush 153 contacts the contactsurface 154, bristles or hair entraining members 155 including bentportions 156 contact respective protuberances or ridges on contactsurface 154 shaped in any manner depending upon a manufacturer's desireddeflection for contacting and retaining pet hair or fibers 160. As shownthe undulations will cause, upon bristle deflection, the bristle lengthend member 156 to become approximately parallel to the contact surfaceplane, thereby improving hair stripping. Additionally, since the presentinvention recognizes that hair (animal and human) contains a series ofgrowth rings and outwardly apparent rough surfaces, the contact surfaceis desirably softer (has a hardness lower) than the hardness of thehair, so as to allow the rough hair surface itself to grip the contactsurface. As a result, it is essential to understand that the contactsurface must be softer or have a hardness less than that of theelemental hair surface itself so as to allow engagement (gripping)between the hair and the surface.

As shown, contact surface 154 is constructed from a preferredelastomeric material have an elastic response to contact, such asneoprene, SBR, PVC etc. or any other suitable formulation, composition,or material known to those of skill in the art and suitable for thepurposes identified herein. During operation, it is shown that a singlepass is necessary to separate fibers 160 from bristles 155 and this isreflective of the inventor's common experience employing the kit. Forexample, as seen in FIGS. 6A-6C, such a single-pass collection flow isdiscussed.

In detailed operation, as bent portions 156 first contact the contactsurface 154 under pressure, they deflect inversely to the direction oftravel (direction A) and the brush head member (shown but not numbered)and generally begin to approach a parallel orientation with the contactsurface depending upon the pressure applied and the particularhead/handle orientation. The deflection of bent portions 156 generallybrings hair entrained within bristles 155 into contact with portions ofcontact surface 154 and, contact surface 154 being an elastomericsurface, the contact surface elastically deforms (slightly) to “grip”the entrained hair due to it's roughness and pull it from entrainingmembers 155. The protuberances in the preferred embodiment shown, arenot required for operation of the present invention but provide anenhancement of the hair-removal function beyond that provided by asmooth elastomeric surface. Each protuberance, undulation, or design(saw-tooth undulation or protuberances shown only shown in the figs) ofthe contact surface, due to their respective relative shapes, functionsto enhance (reduce or increase based on the respective design) thecontact angle between the protuberance and each bent portion 156 ofbristles 155 at the point of contact. For example, the saw-toothprotuberances shown bend each bristle so that it is nearly parallel (180degrees) with the top of each saw-tooth, yet as the bristles movebetween saw-teeth this angle varies between 0 degrees and 180 degreesallowing multiple gripping chances for each hair and each bristle. Whileemploying a smooth contact surface the contact angle would be moreconsistent (for example at a 45 degree angle). Thus applicant employsthe phrase enhancement to note the enhanced ability to contact hair oneach bristle during the sweeping motion along direction A.

With the enhancement of the contact angle, a greater quantity of hair isgripped (and removed), and a greater griping function is provided as alarger contact surface is provided to elastomerically receive each bentportion surface area during the motion. As a consequence of suchconstructions involving ridges or protuberances relative to thedirection of motion brush cleaning, namely removal of hair fromentraining members 155, is improved.

Referring now to FIGS. 7, 7A, 7B, and 7C, an alternative embodiment ofthe present invention is provided employing kit assembly 150 withinternal contact surface 154 for flexibly engaging bristles 154. As canbe seen, a height or angle adjustment system 171 includes a series ofengagement or receiving slots or fingers 174 projecting from a bottomregion of assembly 150 for engaging a respective engagement member 175having a “T-shaped” end. Engagement member 175 is pivotally engaged witha first leg member 173 and a safety or reserve leg member 172 issimilarly pivotally engaged thereof. During use, a user may select aheight adjustment by positioning engagement member 175 in a respectiveslot or finger 174.

An alternative embodiment of adjustment system 171 is shown including aremovable engagement member 175 and a separable leg member 173A,allowing kit assembly 150 to assume a contact shape for traveling andallowing a user to securely store adjustment system 171 within kit 150during transport. In a further alternative embodiment, a simple pivotleg member 172A pivots downward from a rear end of kit 150 opposite afront foot member 170 thereby also establishing a tilt angle for kit 150during a use.

Referring now to FIG. 8, an alternative construction of the presentinvention involves an alternative configuration 104A having an easy-gripconfiguration typified by a paddle or hand mirror shape with a handleportion 100A′ and a head portion 101A, wherein a contact surface 103A ispositioned on head portion 101A as shown.

In the configuration 104A, the specified shape provides a convenientportability and utility. Whereas the earlier-discussed alternativeconstructions operate relative to a support surface such as a table, thepresent configuration in FIG. 8 allows users to orient contact surface103A via handle 100A′ to any convenient angle for use. As a consequence,users with disabilities, of differing heights and differing ranges ofmotion, may utilize the convenience provided by the present invention.

As discussed herein, the present invention provides a plurality ofadaptive variables that a manufacturer may incorporate in a designwithout departing from the scope and spirit of the present invention.These variables include:

-   -   (a) A contact surface that is flat or incorporates        protuberances, undulations, or other waves to improve hair or        filament engagement.    -   (b) A contact surface plane that is optionally flat or        incorporates one or more undulations allowing variable        hair-separation angles relative to a brush bristle throughout a        hair-removal stroke. For example the contact surface in FIG. 8        is flat (and has protuberances), while the contact surface in        FIG. 1 has an undulation (a curve) and also has a number of        protuberances.    -   (c) A kit assembly providing a contact surface or hair removal        surface and a receptacle for catching hair removed from brush        bristles.    -   (d) A system for varying a tilt-angle of a contact surface        relative to a support surface.    -   (e) A system for affixing a contact surface relative to the rim        or edge of an external waist receptacle, thereby allowing a        completed brush-stroke to remove hair and providing for the        gravitational fall of the removed hair into the external waist        receptacle.    -   (f) A system incorporating a lid, a contact surface, and a brush        holding region, whereby a completed hair removal kit may be        readily stored in a sealed condition preventing removed-hair        loss and simple storage of at least one conventional hair        removal brush.

Those of skill in the art should similarly recognize that the use of thephrase “elastomeric” or “elasticity” should be interpreted broadly hereto mean any item, surface, property, parameter or element having ameasure of resilience, common to but not restricted to various polymershaving the elastic properties of rubber, the measure of resilienceallowing the item to return to an original or substantially state from adeformed state.

Additionally, as employed herein, elastomeric shall also describe asurface (wither rigid or possessing a measure of elasticity and in anyshape) as having a coefficient of friction sufficient to engage arespective surface of a filament, strand, fiber, or hair and enable it'sspeedy removal from an entraining, entrailing, or engaging bristle orrestraining member. As a representative example then, even a flat and arigid surface may provide a sufficiently “gripping” coefficient offriction to frictionally engage and or grip a fiber or hair on a passingbristle and aid their removal therefrom, such that as used herein thissurface can be described as elastomeric. As a further detail, those ofskill in the art will recognize that the use of the phrases entraining,entailing, and engaging members refer broadly to the interferencebetween a filament, strand, fiber, or hair etc. and a respective seriesof bristles, darts, fingers, elements, prickles, prongs, quills, shafts,spikes, spurs, or other member extending from a support surface forsimilar fiber-engagement purposes.

Those of skill in the art should recognized that as used herein, thephrase protuberance, in the singular or plural tense indicates theoccurrence of some element, such as a bulge, knob, swelling, ridge,undulation, bend, bow, or other element that protrudes relative to areference position or surface, wherein the reference surface itself maybe either planar (flat) or curved (rounded or sloped). Thus, as anexample, the curved surface of a golf ball contains protuberances fromrounded outer surfaces, wherein the protuberances are represented by theplurality of interconnecting ridges separating the hemisphericaldepressions. In a similar manner, the outer curved surface of abasketball may have a plurality of extending bumps extending to improvea user's handgrip. In this manner, the surfaces of both the golf balland the basketball may be described as protuberant surfaces, meaning asurface containing protuberances.

Additionally, as employed herein the phrase undulation or undulatingshould be interpreted broadly to encompass all common used meaningswithout restriction, referring to but not limited to (1) a regular orirregular rising and falling of a surface relative to a referenceposition, (2) a wavelike form, outline, or appearance wherein the waveshapes have occurrence but no restriction or required regularity, or (3)one of a series of waves or wavelike segments that may or may not have acommon shape or profile but contain nadir's and apexes.

Finally, while the alternative constructions discussed herein employ theuse of hair—animal or human—and the removal of hair from bristles of abrush, the invention herein is not restricted to the same, but may beand should be understood broadly to be a system or apparatus to ease theremoval of any strand, fiber, or filament from an entraining, engaging,or entrailing member. As a consequence, the present invention may beuseful in many areas of industry involving the manufacture, use, ormanipulation of such fibers, filaments, or strands.

In the claims, means- or step-plus-function clauses are intended tocover the structures described or suggested herein as performing therecited function and not only structural equivalents but also equivalentstructures. Thus, for example, although a nail, a screw, and a bolt maynot be structural equivalents in that a nail relies on friction betweena wooden part and a cylindrical surface, a screw's helical surfacepositively engages the wooden part, and a bolt's head and nut compressopposite sides of a wooden part, in the environment of fastening woodenparts, a nail, a screw, and a bolt may be readily understood by thoseskilled in the art as equivalent structures.

Having described at least one of the preferred embodiments of thepresent invention with reference to the accompanying drawings, it is tobe understood that the invention is not limited to those precisealternative constructions, and that various changes, modifications, andadaptations may be effected therein by one skilled in the art withoutdeparting from the scope or spirit of the invention as defined in theappended claims.

1. A system, for aiding the separation of fibers from a plurality ofentraining members, the system comprising: contact surface means forengaging at least end segments of said entraining members proximate saidfibers during a use of said system; means for deflecting said entrainingmembers relative to said contact surface means, thereby contacting atleast portions of said fibers onto said contact surface during a use;means for moving said end segments of said entraining members along atleast a portion of said contact surface means during said use; and saidcontact surface means being elastomeric, whereby during said use saidfibers frictionally engage said contact surface means during saiddeflection and slide along said entraining members and off said endportions, thereby separating said fibers from said entraining members.2. A system, according to claim 1, wherein: said contact surface meansfor engaging includes at least one of a smooth surface and a protuberantsurface.
 3. A system, according to claim 2, wherein: said contactsurface means for engaging includes said protuberant surface and acorresponding plurality of protuberances; and said plurality ofprotuberances being at least ones of regular and irregularprotuberances, wherein said irregular protuberances are non-uniformprotuberances relative to adjacent protuberances.
 4. A system, accordingto claim 3, wherein: said plurality of protuberances enable a varying ofa contacting angle between respective said end segments and said contactsurface during a contact incidence, thereby improving said frictionalcontact engagement between said respective fibers and said contactsurface means.
 5. A system, according to claim 2, wherein: said contactsurface means is at least one of a substantially planar surface and asurface including at least one curve.
 6. A system, according to claim 5,wherein: said contact surface includes at least one curve, whereinduring said use said curve decrease an contact angle defined betweensaid end segments and said contact surface, thereby improving saidfrictional engagement between said respective fibers and said contactsurface means.
 7. A system, according to claim 5, further comprising:means for positionally securing said contact surface relative to anexternal support surface, whereby said system enables a user to securesaid contact surface in a convenient location prior to said use.
 8. Asystem, according to claim 6, wherein: said means for positionallysecuring further comprises: at least one of a suction cup means, aleg-based stabilization means, and means for securing said systemproximate a rim of a receptacle for receiving said fibers removed fromsaid entraining members following said use.
 9. A system, according toclaim 8, wherein: said contact surface means for engaging is positionedon a support member; a handle projecting away from said support member,whereby said handle enables an external user to readily position saidcontact surface means for an advantageous use.
 10. A system, accordingto claim 9, further comprising: a hair brush element.
 11. A system,according to claim 10, further comprising: a body, a plurality ofentrailing/raining members supported by said body and a second handlesupported by said body; a cleaning element means including a pluralityof openings positioned relative to said entrailing/bristles and a tonguesupported by said plate and disposed within the handle of the body; anda control element engaged with the tongue of the cleaning element andmounted with sliding movement along the handle.
 12. A system, accordingto claim 11, further including: releasable affixing means for securelyfixing said hair brush element proximate said handle.
 13. A system, foraiding the separation of fibers from a plurality of entraining members,the system comprising: contact surface means for engaging at least endsegments of said entraining members proximate said fibers during a useof said system; means for deflecting said entraining members relative tosaid contact surface means, thereby contacting at least portions of saidfibers onto said contact surface during a use; means for moving said endsegments of said entraining members along at least a portion of saidcontact surface means during said use; said contact surface means beingelastomeric, whereby during said use said fibers frictionally engagesaid contact surface means during said deflection and slide along saidentraining members and off said end portions, thereby separating saidfibers from said entraining members; and said contact surface means forengaging includes at least one of a smooth surface and a protuberantsurface.
 14. A system, according to claim 13, wherein: said contactsurface means for engaging includes said protuberant surface and acorresponding plurality of protuberances; and said plurality ofprotuberances being at least ones of regular and irregularprotuberances, wherein said irregular protuberances are non-uniformprotuberances relative to adjacent protuberances.
 15. A system,according to claim 14, wherein: said plurality of protuberances enable avarying of a contacting angle between respective said end segments andsaid contact surface during a contact incidence, thereby improving saidfrictional contact engagement between said respective fibers and saidcontact surface means; and said contact surface means is at least one ofa substantially planar surface and a surface including at least onecurve.
 16. A system, for aiding the separation of fibers from aplurality of entraining members, the system comprising: contact surfacemeans for engaging at least end segments of said entraining membersproximate said fibers during a use of said system; means for deflectingsaid entraining members relative to said contact surface means, therebycontacting at least portions of said fibers onto said contact surfaceduring a use; means for moving said end segments of said entrainingmembers along at least a portion of said contact surface means duringsaid use; said contact surface means being elastomeric, whereby duringsaid use said fibers frictionally engage said contact surface meansduring said deflection and slide along said entraining members and offsaid end portions, thereby separating said fibers from said entrainingmembers; said contact surface means for engaging including a protuberantsurface and a corresponding plurality of protuberances; and saidplurality of protuberances being at least ones of regular and irregularprotuberances, wherein said irregular protuberances are non-uniformprotuberances relative to adjacent protuberances.
 17. A system,according to claim 16, wherein: said plurality of protuberances enable avarying of a contacting angle between respective said end segments andsaid contact surface during a contact incidence, thereby improving saidfrictional contact engagement between said respective fibers and saidcontact surface means.
 18. A system, according to claim 17, wherein:said contact surface means is at least one of a substantially planarsurface and a surface including at least one curve.